MEDFORD, MA – U.S. Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Malden) today expressed disappointment that the Defense Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC) Commission for voting to overturn the May 13, 2005 Department of Defense recommendations that Hanscom Air Force Base (AFB) should gain 1,104 new military personnel, but considers the decision to keep Hanscom AFB and the Natick Soldier Systems Center (SSC). Today’s vote on Massachusetts installations was part of the BRAC Commission’s final deliberations as it compiles a final list of recommended base closures and realignments.

Rep. Markey said, “While we are disappointed that the BRAC Commission has voted to overturn the Pentagon recommendation to expand Hanscom, this is still another important victory for Natick SSC and Hanscom AFB. Our installations are not closing and instead are now on third base with a lead as the BRAC process moves into the final stage. The Commission vote today confirms what our team has always known and what the Pentagon reaffirmed in May: the Natick and Hanscom missions are high
technology missions and they cannot be done better anywhere else in the country - that is a testament to the great strength of our workforce, our schools, our companies, and our knowledge-based economy.

“Today’s BRAC Commission vote reaffirms the extraordinary military value of Natick and Hanscom and ensures that Natick and Hanscom can continue to put Massachusetts at the forefront of our proud tradition of protecting the United States of America.

“We remain thankful for the continuing efforts made by local officials, the State Legislature, and the Massachusetts business community to show the Commission and the Department of Defense what we have known for years: Natick and Hanscom make an extraordinary contribution to our men and women fighting on the front lines everyday.

“For years, Natick and Hanscom have provided enormous military value for our country as hightechnology engines of world class research and development critical to our national defense. Both bases also are powerful engines of economic activity in our state. It is great news that they will continue their vital missions.”

Timeline information from the BRAC Commission Website:

The BRAC Commission will send its report to the President on September 8, 2005. By September 23, 2005, the President must either forward the report to the Congress or return it to the Commission for further evaluation. If the report is returned to the Commission, the BRAC Commission has until October 20, 2005 to resubmit its report to the President. If the report is returned to the Commission and then re-submitted to the President, the President must transmit his approval and certification of resubmitted report to Congress by November 7, 2005. Congress has 45 days from the day it receives the report from the President to enact a joint resolution to reject the report in full, or the report becomes law. Should the President fail to approve or transmit either the initial or revised Commission recommendations by the above dates, the BRAC process will be terminated. The Commission will be terminated by law on April 15th, 2006.